Truck Accident results in Death of Toddler

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Although fatal road crashes are always a tragedy it is even more so when the life a young, innocent child is lost. This was the case in rural South Auckland recently when a 4 year old boy was hit by a light truck and killed.

Although statistics from The Australian Bureau of Standards reveal that road crash numbers have been steadily declining over the last few years, many tragedies are still occurring and a great deal of them involve heavy vehicles.  A great deal of these accidents also involve pedestrians.

According to an article on Nzherald.com.au provided more information on the tragic accident,

St John Ambulance spokeswoman said the boy was taken to Starship Hospital in a serious condition, with a police sergeant stepping in to drive the ambulance as the paramedics worked on the boy.

However, he later succumbed to injuries and died, police said.

Police communications shift commander Inspector Ian Brooker said the incident did not appear to be a hit-and-run.

“I don’t think it was a driveway thing, but it doesn’t sound like high-speed either.”

The incident occurred just after 8pm in Union Rd, Pukekohe.

There were a lot of people present at the crash site when police arrived on the scene, Mr Brooker said.

The incident would be investigated by the police serious crash unit.

The driver of the truck was assisting police with their enquiries.

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11173016

Pedestrian Warning to Truck Drivers:

You can encounter pedestrians anytime and anywhere – even in places where they are not supposed to be found. Pedestrians can be very hard to see – especially in bad weather or at night. You must keep a lookout and slow down if you can’t see clearly particularly in rural community roads where pedestrians could be.

Drivers should be particularly aware of schools and areas where there is a higher density of pedestrians like city centres but shouldn’t let their guards down on more quiet roads because as this case proves, pedestrians can come out of nowhere and by the time they are seen it may be too late.

Cars stopped in the street may be stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross. Do not pass if there is any doubt and if it is dark or at night, be even more cautious and aware of pedestrians who may not be visible and may be walking on the road with their backs to traffic.

Don’t assume that pedestrians see you or that they will act predictably. They may be physically or mentally impaired or maybe even intoxicated.

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